Instruction apparatus for stringed musical instruments



L. PORTNOF F V INSTRUCTION APPARATUS FOR STRINGED IIUSICAL INSTRUIENTS Filed June 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9m, Qw

50 po/ r/vorp,

fl t) Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES "FA I E INSTRUCTION APPARATUS Foe STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS v Leo- Portnoff, Brooklyn, N. Y. ApplicationJunelll,1931. Serial No. 543,366 I 24- Claims. (01. a l -281) 1 This invention relates to instruction apparatus .for stringed musical instruments.

When instructing a student in the necessity for.

maintaining his fingers in. a particular relation to the strings of a stringed instrument, such as the violin, it. is quite difficult to guide the student,'

or to make him control the position of his fingers relation to each other, during any particular I fingering exercise, since the fingers themselves naturally assume a particularphysical relation to each other.v This natural physical reaction must be overcome, if a student is to be considered :to have acquired any of the technique appertainingto playing such instruments. It. is necessary to provide some means whereby the student may, without the presence of his, instructor, be guided positively in his exercises, so that his fingers will always be retained in a relation predetermined,

- relation to the strings of the instrument.

It is anobject of the invention to providev apparatus which, in conjunc'tion with guiding the fingers of the student into predetermined relationship, also will set up a resistance to movement of the fingers so that exertion will be required to carry on the exercises, with resultant strengthening of the fingers through such exer- :fingers, to produce certaintonal efiects, must pressure .is important, in conjunction with :the'

"vibrations produced by the bowing, in regard to the tone produced. It, therefore'beriomes necessary to instruct the student in a method .of at- ,the strings, is a requisite therefor. It is an object taining, not only the proper position tobe maintained by the fingers at'the time of-impact and the proper point of impact, but also to enable him to impart to his impacting finger tip the necessary-forceysothat the desired tone effect 55 will be reproduced. For this purpose, it is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which maybe associated with a stringed instrument in such relation that the fingers of the" student may operate thereupon in the'same manner'as' if such device were the strings .of the instrument, the fingers impacting members forming part of apparatus which then actuatemeans for'indicat ing the impact pressure, thus making possible-a series of exercises to instructthe learnerin the mannercf manipulating his several fingers in various positions toproduce desired impact pressures. l v

One of the important elements of playing such stringed instruments, especially the violin, where the instrument is held at the shoulder and the fingering hand moves along the neck, is thenece's- 'sity for permitting the fingering hand free and easy movement along the neck as the fingers of thathand operateuponthestrings. An element -of this 'free and easy movementrequires that'the crotch at the thumb must not tendpto grip the neck of the violin, but must permit easy'sliding of the insirumentin this:crotch; Proper control ofthe" thumb of that hand, as it moves along of this invention to provide means whereby the thumb maybes'o exercised that its disposition 'scrip'tion and the drawings, in which are illustrated a number of embodiments of the apparatus for carrying out the invention.

I The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to the particular constructions and arrangements of parts, nor to particular applications of such constructions, herein shown and described, nor to specific methods of operation, nor to various details thereof, as the same may be modifiedin various particulars or be applied in many varied relations withoutdeparting from the s'pirit and scope of the invention, practical embodiments of which have been herein illus- 100 trated and described without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

For the attainment of these objects and of such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention in the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in perspective of a portion of a violin, illustrating the application to its finger board of means for controlling the positions of the students fingers during fingering exercises, and embodying the invention, a thumb exercising element being shown mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view, on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in perspective, illustrating the assembly on a violin, with means such as shown in Figure 1, of a pressure measuring means embodying the invention;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view'through the pressure measuring means;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the pres sure measuring means; and

Figure '7 is a view in perspective of the thumb exercising element.

The exercising apparatus, shown in Figure 1, is seen to be mounted upon a violin 10 having a neck 12 with which is associated a finger board 14 and is intended to be secured to the violin so that fingers 18 may be retained in a certain definite relation to the strings 20. As can be seen from the drawing, the neck of the violin, or simi larstringed instrument, is intended to rest in the crotch 22 formed by'thumb 24 and the next adjacent finger. Fingers 18 will then be disposed immediately upon the finger board so that they may attack the strings as desired.

In the manipulation of an instrument of this character, it is desired that the fingers assume a certain distinct relation to each other. At certain times, any one of the fingers may be in direct contact with a string, while the other fingers must be in position immediately to attack any other string or portion thereof. Furthermore, in order to attain this relation of fingers, the artist must have control over his fingers to force them into a relative positioning which is directly opposed to their natural tendency to arrange themselves substantially parallel, side by side. It is difficult, in most cases, for a student to retain his fingers in the desired relationship, and especially is this true with the little finger 26, which tends to move away from the finger board and thus to introduce a distinct time factor in its recovery, whenever it is to be active. The same is true, in a lesser degree, of the other fingers. This disability can be overcome by exercises, but the exercises, to be effective, must be performed immediately upon an instrument, or upon something approximating the instrument in its structure. In this manner, by the execution of a numberof predetermined exercises, fingers can be trained to assume the desired relationship as a matter of habit.

For this purpose, the exercising apparatus is constructed to be assembled over the finger board of the instrument. Thisapparatus carries finger retaining elements 28 to retain the fingers 18 in the relationships set forth. The apparatus consists of a bar 30, preferably of metal for purposes of strength, and having at each end thereof, straddle frames 32 and 34. Frame 32 is intended to straddle the finger board 14, as shown in Figure 3. For this purpose, one of the legs 36 of t e to exercise the fingers by overcoming the resistframe may be provided with a depending lug 38 having an opening 40 formed therethrough. A link 42 having a tooth 44 at the end thereof may be received through this opening. By extending the tooth to engage the opposite edge of the finger board, and then threading the nut 46 upon the threads 48 at the other end of the link, and bringing the nut to bear against lug 38, the frame may be located fixedly upon the finger board.

At the other straddle frame 34, another method of securing the frame is shown. In this case, an elastic member 50 is permanently retained upon a lug 52, formed with a leg 54 of this frame. The other leg 56 has an ear 58 formed so that, when the legs 54 and 56 rest upon the top edges 60 of the peg box 62, the elastic member may be extended from lug 52, beneath the peg box, and thus be engaged over ear 58 to retain this end of the apparatus securely upon the instrument.

The bar 30 may be formed with a plurality of notches 64, in any one of which may be positioned the loop 66 of a finger retaining element 28. These elements preferably are made from elastic material in order that the fingers, when retained within the openings 68, may execute certain exercises in which the fingers will have to overcome the resistance of the elastic members, that is, theywill have to pull down against the elastic loops 66.

One finger retaining element 70 is here shown as consisting of a pair of circles 72 in order that two fingers may be retained adjacent each other and agains separating movement throughout some of the exercises. It can be seen that, with the adjustability of the loops with relation to the notches, and with the possibility of arranging the fingers, either in the single members or in the element 70, the relationship of the fingers can be made to conform to that necessary for playing the tones, half-tones, or quarter-tones, in accordance with whatever instruction is desired, or practice, necessary. Of course, at least one of the fingers is left free in order that that finger be able to attack the string, unless it be desirable merely ance of the elastic loops.

In Figure 4, the apparatus of Figure 1 is shown assembled with a device '74 intended to instruct one in the proper pressures required for the production of desired tone values by impacting a string. This device may be used in conjunction with the apparatus of Figure 1, as shown, or separately therefrom. The device consists of a casing '76 having a table 78 in which are formed a plurality of openings 80. The casing is retained upon the finger board of the instrument by means of elastic bands 82, or similar means, extending around the neck from one side of the casing, and engaging over hooks or similar elements 84 at the other side of the casing.

Through each of the openings 80 may be extended a button 86 for actuation by the fingers of the students hand. As seen from Figure 5, each of these buttons is carried upon a fiat spring 88, anchored at 90 upon the inner face of the casing wall. The free end of the spring is intended to engage within a fork 92 at the end of an arm 94, which, in turn, is pivoted at 96 upon a lug 98 extending from a wall of the casing. The other end of arm 94 is formed as a pointer 100, and extends through an opening 102 inthe top wall of the casing. Adjacent each one of the openings may be provided a dial 164 having graduations 106 cooperating with pointer 100. Movement of each pointer over its respective dial will be pro- 150 g '*1,ea1,o1o

portional to the pressure applied to the particular button lid-impacted, as counteracted by-the re- .sistance of the spring 88. DialslM are so disposed that their graduations willbe visible to the p 1 student, together with theapointer, as the instrument is held normally, for'aplaying.

Since the fingers assume,'in the playing of the violin, certain relationships, as in the playingof half-tonesQor such as that shown in Figure 1, in

L.-which two fingers are associatedinsubstantially contiguous relationship, it may benecessary to provide buttons in various spaced positions in order that, when the lfingersio'f a .hand assume such relationship, or any other similar one, there he buttons at th'ese'particularpointswhereby pressure may 'be measured during the exercising of thefingers'in this relationship. .As seen from Figures 4 and 16, his possible toactuate a single ;al.m:94 :by means of the-springs ofjtwo buttons.

.u'Ilhis is doneby biasing the springs of adjacent buttons'to engage w'itha single lugv upon .a single arm. .As shown inFigure '6, the last dial indicates "pressures only for the last button, since this posi-' tion may be assumed to'be the zero position at whichithe little finger 'willcalwaysbe positioned :in suchipressure.exercises. g

When the fingers are retainedin elements 28 .and '70., the .freeuattacking' finger may be dis- :posediupon anyone ofthe buttonspreferably,

however, one closest the position for a predeterminedexercise. Then, by attackingthat button, the pressure exerted by that finger will be :indicated at the particular'dial. The student may learn, from utilization of apparatus of this character, th'e'proper pressure to befiexerted in Figure 1, there is provided :an appliance 108 which is formed with a spring clip 110 to be. slipped over bar 30. The appliance is preferably made from a metal stamping, :andiconsists of a finger 112, extending downwardly from ,the clip.

'Fomedgth 't e', th.

r 0 erwlse posl Ion d at 6 end of i while. the student executes relatively to. the

the finger is a cross-bar 114. When the appliance is properly positioned upon .bar 30, the

cross-bar willlbe positioned so that the thumb 24 may be'oscillatedv aroundit. By so oscillat cific description above being merely for someoperative embodiments-whereby the invention r'nay be practised.

'Having thus described my invention and il- "lustrated its use,what I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patentisz 11' Means for association with a stringedmusical instrument for instructionin the technique thereof, which includes: apparatus for compelling association of the fingers of thestuden-t Thistresult willmbeattained most tefin a predetermined relation to th'eistrings' of the instrument during execution of .a fingeringaexercise'.

2.: Means ior use in the instruction in the technique necessary for the use of a stringed mu'sical instrument,,which includes: apparatus for compelling the associationof the fingers of the student in a predetermined relation to each other during the execution'o'f an exercise of fingering 'for one or more of the strings of the instrument. I 1

'3. Means for use in the instruction in the techexecution of a finger exercise." f

4. Means for use in the instruction in the technique necessary for the use of a stringed musical instrument, which includes; apparatus for compelling the association of the fingers of the student in a predetermined'relation to each,

other and to the strings of the instrument during the execution, of afinger -exercise,said ap- Lpara tus being adjustable 'to permit the associa.

tion of the fingers ina plurality of relationships toeachother.-

5. Means for use in'the musical instrument, which includes: apparatus for compelling the association of the fingersof the "student in a predeterminedrelationvto each other and to the strings of the instrument jdurin the execution of a finger exercise, said ap instruction in the technique necessary for the use of a stringed nique necessary for the use of a stringed musical I ins'tr-umenn'which includes: apparatus for compel ling the association of the fingers of the s'tu-- Tdent in a predetermined relation to each other and to the strings of theinstrument during theparatus; being adjustable 'to-permit theassociation of the fingers in a plurality of relationships to the stringsof the instrument. I 6.1; device for association with a violingo similar stringed instrument, in relation'to the strings thereon, and'means on said device for strings of the instrument an exercise with such -fingers as are not so retained, said means being adjustable uponsaid device to produceap'lurality. .of relationships of I the fingers meson other.

ilarstringcd instrument, in relation to the strings thereon, including a bar for mounting in spaced relation: 'to the finger board of the violin, and means on said bar for retaining the fingers of .a student of such instrument in .a predetermined relation while the student executes aneexercise with such fingers, said means beingadjustahle upon said bar toproduce a plurality. of relationships of the fingers to each other.

8. A device for association with a violin or sim- 9. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument, in relation to the strings thereon, including a bar for mounting' in spaced relation to the finger board of the violin, saidbar having aplurality of notches, and a plurality of finger retaining members mounted on said bar for retaining the fingers of a student of'such instrument in a predetermined relation while the student executes an exercise with such fingers, said means being positionable in said notches to produce a plurality of relationships of the fingers to each other.

10. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument in relation to the strings thereon including a bar for mounting in spaced relation to the finger board of the violin, said bar having a plurality of notches, and a plurality of finger retaining members mounted on said bar for retaining certain of the fingers of a student of such instrument in a predetermined relation while the student executes an exercise with such fingers as are not so retained, said means being positionable in said notches to produce a plurality of relationships of the fingers to each other.

11. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument in relation to the strings thereon including a bar for mounting in spaced relation to the finger board of the violin, said bar having a plurality of notches, and a plurality of elastically extensible finger retaining members mounted on said bar for retaining certain of the fingers of a student of such instrument in a predetermined relation while the student executes an exercise with such fingers as are not so retained relatively to the strings of the instrument, said means being positionable in said notches to produce a plurality of relationships of the fingers to each other.

12. An appliance for use in connection with instruction in the technique of the manipulation of a violin or similar stringed instrument, which includes a member for arrangement upon the finger board of such instrument, means on said member for actuation by one or more of the fingers of the student, and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

13. An appliance for use in connection with instruction in the technique of the manipulation of a violin or similar stringed instrument, which includes a member for arrangement upon the finger board of such instrument, a plurality of means on said member for actuation by one or more of the fingers of the student either individually or acting in concert, and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

14. An appliance for use in connection with instruction in the technique of the manipulation of a violin or similar stringed instrument, which includes a member for arrangement upon the finger board of such instrument, means on said member for actuation by the fingers of the student, said means being of such character that the fingers may be arranged in a plurality of relationships,

and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

15. An appliance for use in connection with instruction in the technique of the manipulation of a violin or similar stringed instrument, which includes a member for arrangement upon the finger board of such instrument, resilient means on said member for actuation by, and resisting the action of, the fingers of the student and providing an arrangement for exercising such fingers, and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

16. An appliance for use in connection with instruction in the technique of the manipulation of a violin or similar stringed instrument, which includes a member for arrangement upon the finger board of such instrument, a plurality of resilient means on said member for actuation by, and resisting the action of, one or more of the fingers of the student either individually or acting in concert and providing an arrangement for exercising such fingers, and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

17. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument in relation to the strings thereon, means on said device for retaining the fingers of a student of such instrument in a predetermined relation while the student executes-an exercise with such fingers, and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

18. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument in relation to the strings thereon, means on said device for retaining certain of the fingers of a student of such instrument in a predetermined relation while the student executes an exercise relatively to the strings of the instrument with such fingers as are not so retained, and an appliance arranged with relation to the strings and in position to be engaged by the fingers of the student, said appliance having means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

19. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument in relation to the strings thereon including a bar for mounting in spaced relation to the finger board of the violin, said bar having a plurality of notches, means on said bar for retaining certain of the fingers of a student of such instrument in a predetermined relation While the student executes an exercise relatively to the strings of the instrument with such fingers as are not so retained, said means being positionable in said notches to produce a plurality of relationships of the fingers to each other, ,and an appliance arranged with relation to the strings, beneath the bar, and in position to be engaged and actuated by the fingers of the student, said appliance having means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

20. A device for association with a violin or similar stringed instrument in relation to the strings thereon including a bar for mounting in spaced relation to the finger board of the violin, said bar having a plurality of notches, a plurality of elastically extensible finger retaining members mounted on said bar for retaining certain of the fingers of a student of such instrument in a predetermined relation while the student executes an exercise relatively to the strings of the instrument with such fingers as are not so retained, said means being positionable in said notches to produce a plurality of relationships of the fingers to each other, an appliance arranged with relation to the strings, beneath the bar, and in position to be engaged by the fingers of the student, said appliance having means for actuation by the fingers of the student individually or acting in concert, and means for indicating the actuating pressure exerted by such fingers.

21. In an attachment to a violin or the like,

for purposes of instruction in the playing of said 7 instrument, a bar, a straddle frame at each end of said bar for supporting it in relation to said violin, one of said straddle frames being adapted to overlie the finger board of the violin, and

means carried by said frame and adapted to be passed beneath said finger board, whereby the frame may be fixed in relation to the finger board.

22. In an attachment to a violin or the like, for purposes of instruction in the playing of said resilient means to hold said other straddleframe to the neck of the violin.

23. For use with an attachment to a violin or the like, for purposes of instruction-in the playing of said instrument, means for associating a relation and means including a resilient element for associating said first means with the violin;

24. For use with an attachment to a violin or the like for purposes of instruction in the playing of said instrument, means for holding the tip of the playersthumb in substantially fixed relation to the instrument, said means including a resilient clamping member adapted to hold said means in place on the attachment plurality of the fingers of the player in fixed 

